Surgical retractor device and related methods

ABSTRACT

A surgical retractor device. The surgical retractor device includes a frame having an outer frame member and an inner frame member coupled to the outer frame member for relative movement about a frame pivot axis, and a frame driver operable to rotate the outer frame member relative to the inner frame member about the frame pivot axis.

INTRODUCTION

Various devices and associated methods are known for providing surgical access to portions of the human body. Such devices include, for example, forceps, dilators and retractors.

Continuing concern with reducing trauma, infection risk, and patient recovery time, encourages the development of instruments that may help reduce the invasiveness of surgical procedures. The present teachings provide such a surgical retractor device and associated methods for providing access to portions of the body.

SUMMARY

The present teachings provide a surgical retractor device. The surgical retractor device includes a frame having an outer frame member and an inner frame member coupled to the outer frame member for relative movement about a frame pivot axis, and a frame driver operable to rotate the outer frame member relative to the inner frame member about the frame pivot axis.

The present teachings also provide a surgical retractor device including a frame, a modular arm, and an arm connector releasably and self-lockingly coupling the modular arm to the frame, the arm connector allowing rotational motion of the modular arm relative to an axis of the frame.

The present teachings further provide a surgical retractor device for retracting a surgical opening of a patient. The surgical retractor device includes a generally U-shaped first frame member, the U-shaped first frame member defined by first and second end portions interconnected by an intermediate portion, a first quick engagement formation defined by the first end portion, at least one retractor arm coupled to the intermediate portion and movable in translation relative to the intermediate portion, and a modular arm coupled to the first quick engagement formation, the first modular arm rotatable relative to the first end portion.

The present teachings further provide a method of retracting a surgical opening of a patient. The method includes positioning a retractor having a frame relative to the surgical opening, pivoting a first frame member relative to a second frame member about a frame pivot axis, and inserting first and second retractor blades coupled to the frame into the surgical opening.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary retractor device according to the present teachings;

FIG. 2 is a partial bottom view of an exemplary retractor device according to the present teachings shown with a partial cut-away view of an distraction driver;

FIGS. 3A-3C are side views of an exemplary retractor device according to the present teachings with first and second frames shown in three different configurations;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary retractor device according to the present teachings shown with two retractor blades;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view of Detail A of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of Detail B of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 a perspective top view of FIG. 4 shown with a partial cut-away view of a frame;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of Detail C of FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 9A and 9B are perspective views of an exemplary retractor arm according to the present teachings, the modular arm shown with a partial cut-away view of one end.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The present teachings can be used for various surgical procedures in which access to portions of the body is desired, such as, for example, various orthopedic procedures, including anterior, posterior, or lateral spine surgeries. Furthermore, the present teachings can be used for retracting soft tissue, such as retracting open a small incision, and generally for maneuvering and aligning various implants and instruments through a limited area, such as, for example, in minimally invasive procedures.

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary surgical retractor device according to the present teachings is illustrated and generally identified at reference character 100. The retractor device 100 can be shaped to fit the contour of the human body and as such the retractor device 100 can be flat, concave, convex, faceted, or any combination thereof. The retractor device 100 can include a frame 101 comprising an outer frame member 102, and an inner frame member 104 coupled to the outer frame member 102 by pivot pins or other linking elements 106, for pivotable motion about a frame pivot axis A. The outer frame member 102 can include a center or intermediate portion 102 a and first and second end portions 102 b, 102 c arranged to generally define a U-like shape. Similarly, the inner frame member 104 can include an intermediate portion 104 a and first and second end portions 104 b, 104 c arranged to generally define a U-like shape. The frame 101 can also include mounting stems 90 for connecting the frame 101 with a surgical table or other surgical structure in a known manner. The intermediate portions 102 a, 104 a of the frame 101 can have a convex or otherwise shaped lower surface for following the contour of the patient's anatomy. The frame 101 can also include various slots or windows for reducing weight, improving visualization and manipulation of the frame and related tools.

The outer and inner frame members 102, 104 can be pivotably coupled at the distal ends of their respective first end portions 102 b, 104 b and second end portions 102 c, 104 c in a nested-like configuration such that their respective intermediate portions 102 a, 104 a are adjacent to each other, and similarly, their respective first end portions 102 b, 104 b, and their respective second end portions 102 c, 104 c, are also adjacent to each other. The nested-like arrangement of the outer and inner frame members 102, 104 and their U-like shapes can provide free space for instrumentation and can reduce occlusion.

Referring to FIG. 3A, the outer and inner frame members 102, 104 are shown in a neutral position in which the outer and inner frame members 102, 104 are substantially coplanar. A frame driver 200, shown in FIG. 5, can be actuated using a frame actuator 202. Rotating the actuator 202 in opposite directions can cause the inner frame member 104 to angle downward or upward relative to the outer frame member 102 in a continuous, non-incremental motion, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C. The frame driver 200 can be a gear-type driver, including, for example, a worm drive 204, and a gear 206 engaged to the worm drive 204 and connected to the linking element 106. Rotating the actuator 202 causes the worm drive 204 to rotate, driving the gear 206 and pivoting the inner frame member 104 relative to the outer frame member 102. The outer and inner frame members 102, 104 are held in the relative position reached when rotation of the actuator 202 ceases through the teeth meshing of the worm drive 204 and the gear 206.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 7, the retractor device 100 can include first and second retractor arms 130 a, 130 b movably connected at their proximal ends to the intermediate portion 104 a of the inner frame member 104. A distraction or linear driver 250 can be used to drive the first and second retractor arms 130 a, 130 b closer together or further apart for distraction in a linear/translational motion, as shown in FIG. 7. The distraction driver 250 can include a pinion 252 that engages geared racks 254 coupled to the retractor arms 130 a, 130 b. Rotating the pinion 252 with a distraction actuator 256 drives the racks 254 to move the retractor arms 130 a, 130 b relative to one another. The first and second retractor arms 130 a, 130 b can move, for example, simultaneously from a center position outwardly away from each other, and inwardly toward each other. The actuator 256 can be, for example, a hex head attached to the pinion 252. A biased stopper 258 can be used to prevent motion of the first and second retractor arms 130 a, 130 b. The stopper 258 can be moved to a release position against bias by a moving a release element 260 connected to the stopper 258. In other applications, it may be desirable to only move one of the retractor arms 130 a or 130 b relative to the frame 101.

The distal end of each of the first and second retractor arms 130 a, 130 b (generically referenced as 130) can be coupled to a blade angulator/connector 300, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 6 and 8, for connecting a blade 150 to the retractor arm 130 in a quick-connect, self-locking manner. The blade angulator/connector 300 can include a blade holder 302 pivotably connected to the retractor arm 130 with a pivot element 304. The blade holder 302 can include a male or female quick-engagement formation 306 couplable with a conforming female or male quick-engagement formation 308 on the blade 150. The quick engagement formations 306, 308 can define a dovetail-type tongue-and-groove connection, for example, a pocket connection or other type of quick-connect/disconnect arrangement. The blade connector 300 can include a locking arm 310 biased to lock the blade 150 in the blade holder 302 in a self-locking manner. Pressing extension 312 of the locking arm 310 rotates the locking arm 310 to a release position that allows the blade 150 to be removed.

The blade connector 300 can also include a driver 320 that can control the rotation of the blade holder 302 and thereby the angulation or tilting of the blade 150 relative to the retractor arm 130. The driver 320 can include a head 322, a threaded portion 324 and a distal end 326. The driver 320 can be threaded through a threaded bore 132 of the retractor arm 130 such that the distal end 326 can engage a slot or groove or other channel 318 defined in the blade holder 302. The distal end 326 can be shaped to be rotatably and slidably received in the channel 318. The distal end 326 can have, for example a spherical or other bulbous shape. The driver 320 can be designed such that the driver 320 cannot be completely disengaged from the blade holder 302 during the full range of motion of the driver 320. Rotating the head 322 pivots the blade holder 302 and the attached blade 150 relative to the retractor arm 130, as shown in FIG. 7. Accordingly, the degree of angulation or tilting of the blade 150 can be continuously controlled and adjusted.

Referring to FIGS. 1, 9A and 9B, additional distraction can be provided as desired by connecting to the frame 101 multiple modular arms 130 c. The modular arms 130 c can be connected to the inner frame member 104 using a quick connect/disconnect arm connector 400. A blade connector, such as the blade connector 300 described above, can be used to connect the modular arm 130 c to a blade 150 self-lockingly and with continuous adjustment control. The blade connector 300 can provide angulation that is independent for each blade 150 connected to the frame 101.

The arm connector 400 can allow each modular arm 130 c to distract independently of any other modular arm 130 c or retractor arm 130, 130 a, 130 b and can provide a self-locking and quick release connection. The arm connector 400 can include a modular housing 402 defining a quick-engagement formation 404 which can be engaged to a corresponding quick-engagement formation 406 on the frame 101 as shown in FIG. 7. The quick-engagement formations 404, 406 can be of the dovetail, pocket or quick-connect engagement type and can be self-locking. The exemplary arm connector 400 is shown, for example, with female/male dovetail formations 404, 406. A spring-loaded ball plunger 408 can be supported by the housing 402 to provide self-locking for the engagement formations 404, 406.

The modular arm 130 c can include a gear 410 coupled to the housing 402 and engageable with a pinion 412 supported by the housing 402. A hex head or other actuating element 414 can be connected to the shaft of the pinion 412 to rotate the pinion. The pinion 412 can transfer rotational motion to the gear 410 and rotate the modular arm 130 c about pivot axis B. Axis B is generally perpendicular to the frame pivot axis A. A trigger 420 can be activated to release a trigger lock that prevents rotational motion.

The retractor device 100 can be used with various arm combinations coupled to the frame 101. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates the frame 101 assembled with four blades 150. It will be appreciated that a smaller number of blades 150 or even a single blade 150 can be used with the frame 101. Similarly, more than four blades 150 can be used, if desired. The blades 150 can be curved or flat and can be of different widths, diameters, and lengths. Some blades 150 can define a blade channel that can be used to introduce a light source or a blade extension or a utility tool, such as a suction pump or other device.

The various components of the retractor device 100, including the outer and inner frame members 102, 104, the retractor arms 130 a, 130 b, the modular arms 130 c, and the blades 150, can be made of metallic or polymeric materials. Polymer materials with radiolucent properties may be used when increased visibility is desirable.

The various control devices, including the frame driver 200, the distraction driver 250, the blade angulator/connector 300, and the arm connector 400, can be adjusted using a wrench, a detachable knob or other tool. The modular arms 130 c can also be manually moved in the permissible rotational directions.

The foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary arrangements of the present invention. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from such discussion, and from the accompanying drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. 

1. A surgical retractor device comprising: a frame including an outer frame member and an inner frame member coupled to the outer frame member for relative movement about a frame pivot axis; and a frame driver operable to rotate the outer frame member relative to the inner frame member about the frame pivot axis.
 2. The surgical retractor device of claim 1, wherein the frame driver is operable to rotate the inner frame member relative to the outer frame member about the frame pivot axis in a continuous rotational motion.
 3. The surgical retractor device of claim 2, wherein the frame driver holds the outer and inner frame members in a position reached when rotational motion stops.
 4. The surgical retractor device of claim 1, further comprising first and second retractor arms movably coupled to the frame.
 5. The surgical retractor device of claim 4, further comprising a distraction driver carried by the frame and operable for moving the first retractor arm relative to the second retractor arm.
 6. The surgical retractor device of claim 5, further comprising a distraction actuator, wherein rotation of the distraction actuator simultaneously translates the first and second retractor arms relative to an intermediate portion of the frame.
 7. The surgical retractor device of claim 6, wherein the first and second retractor arms are translated in a direction generally parallel to the frame pivot axis.
 8. The surgical retractor device of claim 5, wherein the distraction driver includes a pinion engaging first and second geared racks coupled to the first and second retractor arms, respectively.
 9. The surgical retractor device of claim 4, further comprising first and second retractor blades coupled to the first and second retractor arms through quick connect/disconnect blade connectors.
 10. The surgical retractor device of claim 4, further comprising at least one modular arm releasably coupled to the frame.
 11. The surgical retractor device of claim 10, wherein the at least one of the modular arms is coupled to the frame for rotational movement about an axis generally perpendicular to the frame pivot axis.
 12. The surgical retractor device of claim 9, wherein each of the first and second retractor blades is rotatable relative to the respective retractor arm.
 13. A surgical retractor device comprising: a frame; a modular arm; and an arm connector releasably and self-lockingly coupling the retractor arm to frame, the arm connector allowing rotational motion of the retractor arm relative to an axis of the frame.
 14. The surgical retractor device of claim 13, further comprising: a retractor blade; and a blade connector releasably and self-lockingly coupling the retractor blade to the modular arm.
 15. The surgical retractor device of claim 14, wherein the retractor blade is angulatable relative to the modular arm.
 16. The surgical retractor device of claim 14, wherein the retractor blade and the blade connector are coupled by a dovetail-type connection.
 17. The surgical retractor device of claim 14, wherein the blade connector comprises a blade holder coupled to the retractor blade and a driver coupled to the modular arm, the driver operable to angulate the retractor blade relative to the modular arm.
 18. The surgical retractor device of claim 17, wherein the driver is threadably connected to a bore in the modular arm.
 19. The surgical retractor device of claim 18, wherein the driver comprises a distal end slidably and rotatably engaging a channel of the blade holder.
 20. The surgical retractor device of claim 17, further comprising a locking arm pivotably coupled to the blade holder, the locking arm biased to lock the retractor blade to the blade holder.
 21. The surgical retractor device of claim 13, wherein the arm connector comprises a pinion-gear driving device operable to rotate the modular arm relative to the frame.
 22. A surgical retractor device for retracting a surgical opening of a patient, the surgical retractor comprising: a generally U-shaped first frame member, the first frame member defined by first and second end portions interconnected by an intermediate portion; a first quick engagement formation defined by the first end portion; at least one retractor arm coupled to the intermediate portion and movable in translation relative to the intermediate portion; and a modular arm coupled to the first quick engagement formation, the modular arm rotatable relative to the first end portion.
 23. The surgical retractor device of claim 22, further comprising a U-shaped second frame member, the first and second frame members pivotably coupled to one another.
 24. The surgical retractor device of claim 23, comprising a second quick engagement formation defined by the second end portion, wherein the modular arm is selectively coupled to one of the first and second quick engagement formations.
 25. The surgical retractor device of claim 24, further comprising a second retractor arm coupled to the intermediate portion and a second modular arm selectively coupled to one of the first and second quick engagement formations.
 26. The surgical retractor device of claim 25, each of the retractor arms and each of the modular arms includes a blade connector releasably coupling a retractor blade to the corresponding retractor arm or modular arm.
 27. The surgical retractor device of claim 26, wherein the retractor blade is angulatable relative to the corresponding retractor or modular arm.
 28. The surgical retractor device of claim 23, wherein the U-shaped second frame member is nested within the U-shaped first frame member.
 29. The surgical retractor device of claim 23, wherein the intermediate portion of the U-shaped first frame member includes a lower convex surface. 